Rookie live bait question.

Ok being a fishing rookie I have used lures and cut bait so far but I would like to start using some live bait. So my question is. How do you all pickup, transport and handle live bait for your trips. If I pickup some live bait from a local shop do I just bring a bucket with me? Then what is the best way to keep them on my kayak. Thanks in advance.

Phil

I just use a bucket with a little aerator in it and it works great. You can buy them on cabelas, bass pro and if you live near salinas dicks has them.

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One lesson that I have learned about live bait is that you do not want to use straight from the tap water.  The chlorines and additives can be detrimental to the bait.  It is better to get some river or lake water or to let the tap water sit out for a few hours so that the chemicals can dissipate.

There are a few variations in buckets as well.  There are some that are just for keeping on the deck which require you to cycle out the old water manually, and there are some that you can just leave in the water and drag around with you (better in hot weather).

People also use bait tubes, home made bait wells, etc.  The simpler the better.

Here are my setups mostly use for minnows/ mudsuckers/ smaller bait/etc.

Pictures
1- Kayak bucket
2- Local transport setup- (extra bucket keeps splashing to a minimum)
3- Long haul setup with battery aerator water tight
4- Home setup with an additional 120v plug-in aerator

Do you use the same set up for salt water live bait? Is it possible?

KISS... bait tube for salt

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Bring a good size fresh/clean bucket for how much bait u plan on using. Get urself a nice aerator and during ur trip frequently keep flushing the water with fresh water. Or u can make a live bait well. There's probably a thread on here on how do it yourself to make a live well tank. But most important u do need to keep the water fresh and cool. And fresh water means salt, river, lake water ur bait will usually live in.

Anchovies and shiners are temperature sensitive and will die quickly. And when ur done with ur bucket make sure u do not soap it. Jus give it a good rinse with ur hose water.

Got it. For the "kayak bucket" do you hand that into the water or does it just sit on deck? That bait tube looks like a nice easy DIY project. Most of my fishing so far is in the brackish water on the napa river. Would that change anything. The water can be pretty turbid. Not sure if that is hard on the baits.

Thanks for all the info. Going to start tying some live bait rigs tonight to get ready.

Got it. For the "kayak bucket" do you hand that into the water or does it just sit on deck?

Yes, I leave mine in the water unless I'm on the move and need to paddle quickly. Causal paddling/ trolling or fishing in one spot keep it in the water. Its keep your bait fresh and fiesty!

Fishermans Warehouse has the Plano bucket pretty cheap. You will want the deluxe one as it has a second latch on it to keep the door shut from accidental opening. Here's the link.

http://www.fishermanswarehouse.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=5674